Tree of Joy success as 99% of parcels returned
THE Rotary Tree of Joy campaign is in full swing, after volunteers from the Guernsey Inner Wheel sorted presents ready for distribution to local children this Christmas.
There were more than 500 presents purchased by islanders at the former Braye Lodge Hotel, all with name tags of children whose families may be struggling.
Organiser Jocelyn Dorey said the Tree of Joy campaign was important for many local families.
‘A number of people don’t think there is poverty on the island but there are lots of people struggling to make ends meet, especially at Christmas,’ she said.
‘If we can help families with presents then that’s such a worthwhile thing to do.’
The presents were sorted into piles to be sent to a number of agencies who would distribute them to the children.
‘It seems very successful – 99% of parcels have come back which has just been wonderful,’ Mrs Dorey added. ‘The presents look amazing.’
Jerry Girard, from the Rotary Club, said children were nominated by schools, health visitors, and parishes and a description of what they may like for Christmas is put forward.
‘The whole community gets involved in buying the presents,’
he said.
‘We have arranged around 14,000 presents for deserving
children to get since the Tree of Joy campaign started 27 years ago.’
Inner Wheel volunteers Donna-Mae Acton and Sue Spruce said as well as being important for the children, it was good for members of the community to get involved with the Tree of Joy.
‘It gives them a nice feeling as well,’ Mrs Spruce said.
‘There are people out there with financial problems who maybe don’t have enough money to buy their children nice things, so why does the child have to suffer?’
Mrs Acton said it was important for those who were fortunate this Christmas to be grateful.
‘I usually get my grandchildren involved as well so they can appreciate what they have.’
The Tree of Joy is lit up on the Weighbridge roundabout as a symbol of the campaign.
